Entry exit system update: will EES checks be suspended this summer?

The next time you travel to Europe, things at the border will probably work differently. The EU has introduced new biometric border checks called the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is leading to long queues at some airports and impacting British travellers. 

The EU’s new border checks, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), were officially rolled out on 10 April, but have led to disruption and confusion at many airports across Europe. Our travel editor witnessed queues several hours long and passengers missing flights at Palma airport. 

These new checks mean that all third-party nationals arriving in Schengen countries, including UK passport holders since Brexit, will need to register their biometrics. The Schengen zone includes popular holiday destinations such as France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, but not Cyprus or Ireland. 

Greece had announced it would suspend EES checks for British travellers this summer to ease congestion, but the Greek Foreign Ministry later clarified that this meant it would pause EES checks at times when queues become unmanageable. Several airports, such as Lisbon and Milan, have previously suspended EES checks for this reason. It may be that Greek border authorities do suspend checks across the summer period, but it remains unclear. 

After EES, adding to the abbreviations is Etias: a new visa waiver that British travellers will have to pay for to visit Europe. Although this is due to be introduced in late 2026, it won’t be mandatory for UK passport holders until early 2027. 

Below, we’ve shared a guide to what you need to know if you’re travelling this summer.

What to do to prepare for queues

At airports that have a large number of UK arrivals and departures, it’s sensible to arrive as bag drop opens, usually three hours before departure, so you have enough time to make it through exit EES checks. Many Spanish airports, Lisbon, Milan and Krakow are just some of the places where long queues are regularly reported. 

EES involves having your fingerprints and/or a facial scan taken at EES kiosks or by a border officer, as well as answering questions about the reason for your visit. 

If you’re stuck in the queue for EES checks, you can try to speak to a member of staff and inform them you’re at risk of missing your flight. In some situations, airport staff may use their discretion and allow you to move to the front of the queue.

If you don’t need to check in a bag at the airport, you may want to arrive even earlier. Clearing security sooner means you’re able to join EES queues ahead of time, potentially helping you to stay on schedule for your flight.

Can countries or airports pause EES checks?

For now, yes. Airports and ports in EU member states can still suspend checks for up to 90 days, with another 60-day extension possible. For example, Greece has already suspended biometric checks for British travellers to ease disruption at its airports until further notice.

For travellers, this means you may not necessarily need to do EES checks on your next summer holiday, as other member states may follow suit — but it’s wise to prepare as if you will, and anticipate delays.

What happens at the border with EES?

The new digital EES requires all non-EU passport holders, including those with British passports, to be fingerprinted and photographed at border control. 

When the system is fully operational, travellers of all ages will be subject to these border checks, although children under 12 won't have to give fingerprints.

This will usually be done at new, dedicated automated kiosks, alternatively, by a border officer when arriving overseas at airports and, for Eurostar/Eurotunnel and at the Port of Dover, before leaving the UK. 

Visitors will also have to answer questions about the length of their stay and whether they have enough money to fund their trip.

Theoretically, the system should have replaced passport stamping from 10 April, but this step will likely be phased out more slowly. Member states are allowed to pause real-time checks and instead retroactively upload passport data into the EES system, and in these cases, passports are stamped instead.

As a rule of thumb, if you’re travelling soon and are given the opportunity to have your passport stamped, you should accept it.

Has EES started yet?

Yes — the changes rolled out officially on 10 April. But EU countries will still be allowed to pause EES to avoid long queues during peak summer travel.

EES applies across all Schengen countries, including Bulgaria and Romania. The only exceptions are Ireland, which shares a Common Travel Area with the UK, and Cyprus, which will operate border controls separately.

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Should I be worried about rumours of travel bans?

EES rules state that UK travellers may spend 90 days in every 180 in the Schengen zone. Unless you’re taking longer and/or more frequent trips than this, it’s not something to worry about – just make sure you get your passport stamped each time you travel in and out of the EU until this step is phased out.

If you do overstay, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) says you could be banned from countries in the Schengen Area for up to three years. These rules come under the EU’s Return Directive 2008/115, which states that any entry ban should take into account the specific circumstances of each individual case — meaning that it may depend on factors such as the length of your overstay, and any other mitigating factors.

If you’re concerned, you can use the European Union’s 90/180 calculator tool, which is available on the official Travel to Europe website.

Do I have to do anything for EES?

No, apart from checking your passport validity and that you’re following the 90/180-day Schengen rule. 

There’s no advance registration or paperwork needed before you travel. 

However, it’s worth allowing extra time for your journey. For example, when booking transfers, car hire or other onward travel, take into consideration that you may wait longer than normal to exit the airport. You may want to ensure that your car hire company doesn’t impose a penalty for late pick-up – and warn it if you’re delayed.

For peace of mind, you can also double-check the entry requirements of your destination by checking its FCDO Foreign Travel Advice page.

What’s the official Entry/Exit System start date?

EES was officially rolled out on 10 April 2026, following a progressive roll-out that started on 12 October 2025. However, travellers may have inconsistent experiences for the next few months, and possibly beyond, as ports and airports fully adapt to the new rules.

The EES will eventually fully replace passport stamping and will help the EU to more closely track whether travellers are respecting the EU’s 90/180-day rule. This rule means British travellers cannot stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any 180-day stretch.

Can I now use e-Gates at European airports?

Not yet. Some airports, such as those in Germany and Bulgaria, along with Lisbon and Faro in Portugal, Prague and Rome Fiumicino, are already allowing UK travellers through the e-Gates, and it is hoped more will do so in future.

Even if you do go through an e-Gate, you may still be given the chance to have your passport stamped by a border guard. It's wise to do so if you're given the opportunity, as it acts as further documentation of your movements in or out of the Schengen zone.

Is it true that I’ll be asked about travel insurance or money when travelling to Europe?

You may be asked when registering for EES if you have enough money to cover your stay. But we haven’t found any instances of British passport holders being refused entry on the basis of their answer. 

Rumours of British tourists being fined under Spain’s '£97-a-day' rule are unfounded. The rule has long existed and technically applies to UK visitors post-Brexit, but Spanish authorities confirmed to Which? that it’s not enforced against British tourists, and none have been refused entry. That said, it’s sensible to carry a return ticket and accommodation details in case you’re asked.

Do I need travel insurance because of EES?

Again, this is unlikely. Some countries in the Schengen area list travel insurance as a requirement for entry, but it’s not a rule that has ever been used to deny entry to UK travellers, as far as we’re aware. 

When Eurostar first introduced EES, passengers were asked about travel insurance, but this and other questions have been temporarily dropped, with no mention of them on Eurostar’s EES page. Which? has reached out to Eurostar to ask when, and if, these questions will be reintroduced, but it has not yet shared more information. 

Eurostar also offers a helpful tool for checking border requirements for your journey – just type in your destination.

Either way, securing travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked a trip is advisable. While a UK Ehic/Ghic card can cover medically necessary state healthcare in the EU, it won’t cover private treatment or repatriation. Plus, travel insurance will protect you against wider issues, including cancellations or lost baggage.

Do you need to apply for EES?

No. Just prepare for extra border checks. You may be able to pre-register on an official app called Travel to Europe in future, but at the moment this is only available if you’re travelling to Sweden or Portugal.

What is the EES app, also known as the Travel to Europe app?

The EU has created an app, called Travel to Europe, that allows travellers to pre-register their passport information, upload a photo, and answer the questions asked at kiosks up to 72 hours before arriving at border control. It's not yet available for download in the UK but is being piloted in Sweden and Portugal.

How does EES affect travel by Eurostar, Eurotunnel and at the Port of Dover?

In this case, EES checks will take place at kiosks on the UK side. The roll-out of these checks has been staggered and will continue until full implementation in April 2026.

Eurostar says that EES is being launched gradually and that there will be minimal changes for the first few months. It is currently asking some Eurostar Premier passengers, or those travelling with Carte Blanche or Étoile Club Eurostar membership, to register with EES at a pre-registration kiosk. 

It says it accounts for time needed for border checks within arrival times on tickets, and will provide a further update regarding when EES registration will be mandatory for all passengers, including information on how it impacts their travel plans, and will do so 'well in advance'. Which? has reached out to Eurostar to ask for an approximate timeline, but it has not yet responded.

The Home Office says there are kiosks to register passengers before their journeys, and in October 2025, confirmed plans for 49 kiosks for Eurostar, 106 for Eurotunnel, and at Dover, 72 for cars and 12 for coaches in an email to Which?.

However, in a statement it has also warned of delays caused by EES across airports, the Eurotunnel, Eurostar and Port of Dover.

What is Etias?

Another change that British travellers should prepare for is the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), otherwise known as a visa-waiver scheme, due to be phased in from late 2026 (currently forecast for October). 

When it is fully implemented — which isn't expected until April 2027 — all holidaymakers will need to apply online and pay a fee of €20 (around £17) before travelling. The authorisation is expected to be valid for three years, or until your passport expires.

I’m travelling to Europe – do I need an Etias?

Not yet. Etias has been postponed several times and is now expected in late 2026, after EES has fully launched. There will be at least a six-month transition period and then an additional grace period before it becomes mandatory for UK passport holders. 

When Etias launches, UK travellers will need it to travel to all the following states:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia (aka the Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

While Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City are not part of the Schengen Area, they do not have independent external border controls. Travellers normally enter these territories via France or Italy. As these are Schengen member states, visa-exempt travellers will need a valid ETIAS travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area.